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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Chapter 1 Taylor's Disciple (4)
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"Aren't you going to the party?"
"Do I look like the type of person who'd go to a place like that?"
"No."
The Juist Academy dormitory was quiet, despite the early hour. Everyone had gone to the auditorium to enjoy the celebratory party.
Of course, there were exceptions: Sei-an, quietly reading a book in his room, and Lark, lying in bed as if trying to sleep from an early hour.
"Shouldn't *you* be going to see him?"
"You mean Prince Idis?"
"Yes."
Then, Lark subtly spoke to Sei-an, imagining Prince Idis attending the party.
He recalled that Sei-an, who had gone to meet Prince Idis earlier, had returned to the dormitory much sooner than expected.
If he'd come all this way just to find him, it implied a considerable friendship, so it was strange that they had parted ways and he'd returned so quickly.
This was because Prince Idis, displeased that Sei-an had worried about him, had simply gone straight to the party, so Lark had no way of knowing that Sei-an had returned to the dormitory sooner than expected.
"That's what *I* was going to say..."
"What?"
"Shouldn't *you* be going to see Prince Idis?"
"...Why would *I* need to see him?!"
Lark subtly frowned and glared at Sei-an, who had posed the same question back to him.
"Because your connection seems quite deep."
"What did you say?"
"It seems I'm meddling unnecessarily. My apologies."
"..."
Lark's entire face contorted at Sei-an's words, and he looked at him with a somewhat cold gaze.
He thoroughly disliked Sei-an's tone, which suggested he had figured something out about him.
'Damn it!'
Lark muttered a small curse to himself, got up, and headed outside.
He had been feeling an inexplicable frustration all day since Prince Idis appeared, and Sei-an's words made it impossible for him to stay in the room any longer, forcing him to go out.
"Hmm."
Watching Lark disappear, Sei-an once again fell deep into thought.
***
As deep darkness began to fall, the academy's scenery became even more chaotic than during the day.
With all events concluded and the party over, the entrance was bustling as invited guests began to leave the academy.
And among them, one figure was departing with undeniable grandeur: Prince Idis. Students and academy officials alike had all come out to see him off.
"No wonder he's so full of himself."
Meanwhile, far from the crowd, on the rooftop of a building, someone was quietly observing the scene: Lark.
"Tsk."
He clicked his tongue softly and grumbled, clearly displeased by the sight of Prince Idis departing amidst such a grand farewell.
"Aren't you envious?"
Just then, a quiet voice came from behind him. Passing through the small door leading to the rooftop and approaching him was Taylor.
"Why the sudden formality?"
"Meeting Prince Idis brought back old memories, you see."
As if he had expected Taylor's appearance, Lark spoke quietly without any change in expression, his gaze still fixed on the departing Prince Idis.
"You certainly have gotten older. Seeing you recall old memories like they're fond recollections."
"Haha! Prince Idis said the same thing, that I've gotten quite old."
Taylor chuckled heartily at Lark's chiding remark, approached him, and together they watched Prince Idis disappear from view.
"Prince Idis asked me to deliver a message."
"Huh?"
A moment later, Taylor continued quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"He said to stop acting unlike yourself, Lark..."
"..."
"He said hiding doesn't suit you at all, and to immediately go back to acting with your old, 'dirty' personality."
"...That damn guy!"
Hearing Prince Idis's message, Lark suddenly scowled, sending an angry glare towards the figure who had already vanished into the distance.
"Haha! You two haven't changed a bit."
Watching Lark's reaction, Taylor chuckled softly once more, a pleasant smile gracing his face.
